Abstract
We have used the pH-induced self-assembly of a peptide-amphiphile to make a nanostructured fibrous scaffold reminiscent of extracellular matrix. The design of this peptide-amphiphile allows the nanofibers to be reversibly cross-linked to enhance or decrease their structural integrity. After cross-linking, the fibers are able to direct mineralization of hydroxyapatite to form a composite material in which the crystallographic c axes of hydroxyapatite are aligned with the long axes of the fibers. This alignment is the same as that observed between collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite crystals in bone.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Bioartificial Organs
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Biopolymers / chemistry
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Biopolymers / metabolism
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Bone and Bones / chemistry
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Bone and Bones / metabolism
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Bone and Bones / ultrastructure*
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Calcification, Physiologic*
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Calcium / metabolism
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Collagen / metabolism
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Collagen / ultrastructure
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Crystallization
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Cysteine / chemistry
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Cysteine / metabolism
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Disulfides / chemistry
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Disulfides / metabolism
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Dithiothreitol / metabolism
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Durapatite / chemistry
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Durapatite / metabolism
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Extracellular Matrix / chemistry
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Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
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Extracellular Matrix / ultrastructure
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Micelles
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Microscopy, Electron
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Models, Molecular
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / chemistry*
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Peptides / metabolism*
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Phosphates / metabolism
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Phosphoserine / chemistry
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Phosphoserine / metabolism
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Protein Structure, Quaternary
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Regeneration
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Tissue Engineering / methods*
Substances
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Biopolymers
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Disulfides
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Micelles
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Peptides
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Phosphates
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Phosphoserine
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Collagen
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Durapatite
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Cysteine
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Calcium
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Dithiothreitol